{The wilderness} had caressed him, and-lo!-he had withered; it had taken him, loved him, embraced him, got into his veins, consumed his flesh, and sealed his soul to its own by the inconceivable ceremonies of some devilish initiation.
The wilderness profoundly affected the individual mentioned, transforming him in ways that are both mystical and unsettling. It enveloped him completely, becoming an integral part of his being, and in this deep connection, he experienced both love and destruction. The wildness seemed to intertwine with his essence, fundamentally altering his humanity.
This transformation evokes themes of initiation, suggesting a dark ritual that merges the man with nature's primal forces. The wilderness not only nurtures but also devours him, sealing his fate as it consumes his flesh and spirit. This duality highlights the complexities of human connection with the primal world, portraying it as both a source of life and a harbinger of decay.
